The Child Stress Disorders Checklist (CSDC) is an observer report measure designed for use as a screening instrument for traumatic stress symptoms in children. It measures symptoms of Acute Stress Disorder (ASD) and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PSTD).The CDSC assesses for the trauma and DSM-IV A2 criteria for PTSD and ASD. It yields a total score as well as scores for Reexperiencing, Increased Arousal, Avoidance, Numbing and Dissociation, and Impairment in Functioning.

The measure can be completed by multiple types of observers who may have contact with a child including caregivers, nurses, teachers, and social service workers.

Domain(s) Assessed :

Trauma Exposure/Reminders

Externalizing Symptoms

Language(s) :

English

Age Range:

2-18

Measure Type:

Screening

# of Items:

36

Measure Format:

Questionnaire

Average Time to Complete (min):

10

Reporter Type:

Other

Average Time to Score (min):

5

Periodicity:

1 month (scale instructions are now or within the past month)

Response Format:

0=not true, 1=somewhat or sometimes true, 2=very true or often true

Materials Needed:

Paper/Pencil

Sample Item(s):

Domains

Scale

Sample Items

Total

Reexperiencing

Child reports uncomfortable memories of the event.

Increased Arousal

Child startles easily. For example, he or she jumps when hears sudden or loud noises.

Avoidance

Child avoids doing things that remind him or her of the event.

Numbing and Dissociation

Child seems "spaced out" or in a daze.

Impairment in Functioning

Child has difficulty getting along with friends, schoolmates, or teachers.

Information Provided:

Areas of Concern/Risks

Training

Training to Interpret:

Prior Experience Psych Testing/Interpretation

Parallel/Alternate Forms

Parallel Form:

No

Alternate Form:

No

Different Age Forms:

No

Altered Version Forms:

Yes

Describe Alternative Forms:

The measure was formerly called the Child Stress Reaction Checklist (Saxe, 1997).

Nurse reports on the CSDC were correlated with scores on the CBCL-PTSD (r=.43, p<.001) and CDC (r=.37, p<.01). As expected, they were not correlated with CBCL Thought Problems or CBCL Delinquency scores.

Criterion Validity:

Not Known

Not Found

Nonclinical Samples

Clinical Samples

Diverse Samples

Predictive Validity:

Yes

Postdictive Validity:

References for Criterion Validity:

No data on Sensitivity or Specificity.Saxe et al. (2003) reported that Parent CSDC scores were also related to CDC and CBCL-PTSD scores 3 months later (r=.59, p<.05 and r=.47, p<.05,respectively), but they were not significantly related to CPTSD-RI scores (r=.38, p=N.S.).

Measure has demonstrated evidence of reliability and validity in which populations?:

Medical Trauma

Accidents

Other

Pros & Cons/References

Pros:

1. The measure is unique in assessing both Acute Stress Disorder and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptomatology using the observer report.

2. The measure is based on DSM-IV criteria for Acute Stress Disorder and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.

3. Additional benefits include assessment of exposure and reaction to the traumatic event, impairment in functioning, and symptoms of dissociation, in addition to PTSD symptomatology.

4. The measure is free and easily available.

Cons:

1. Psychometrics have been examined only by the first author.

2. The measure has yet to be examined in terms of ability to detect change due to treatment and relationship to diagnostic classifications (sensitivity and specificity).

3. Although the measure is designed for children aged 2-18 and was used with this age range in the psychometric study, examination of the actual items suggests that it may not be an appropriate screen for younger children, given that a number of items would not apply to them.

4. The wording on some of the items is somewhat technical, most likely because items were derived from the DSM-IV.

THIS IS NOT A CON, JUST INFORMATION: For many of the items, the wording refers to “the event,” suggesting that the measure was not designed for a chronic or multiply traumatized population. It was designed to screen for ASD and PTSD symptoms following an event.

References:

A PsychInfo search of the words “Child Stress Disorder Checklist” and “CSDC” anywhere (6/05) revealed that the measure has been referenced in 3 peer-reviewed journal articles.Two are review articles.